MPs have expressed 'deep concern' about how isolation and a lack of digital connectivity have contributed to poor mental health in rural areas, particularly among farmers.
A report by the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee (EFRA) calls for far greater joined-up planning and action from the government to address the issue.
The study says relative poverty in rural areas can exacerbate poor mental wellbeing, and that rural workers, including farmers, face "particular stresses".
These include unpredictable weather and animal health crises, as well as uncertain government policies which can affect farmers' incomes as well as their mental health.
Vets, who regularly deal with animal mortality, epidemics and disturbing situations around TB testing, are "especially affected by stress", MPs warn in the report.
A survey in 2018 of British Veterinary Association members found that 77% had been concerned about a colleague or fellow student’s mental health and wellbeing.
EFRA emphasises that the available picture of rural mental health is incomplete, partly due to gaps in data and to under-reporting across government of rural deprivation, which is "inextricably linked to poor mental well-being".
This lack of detailed data, its report says, should be addressed across all the areas where it makes recommendations for meaningful action.
However, EFRA says the data deficiency cannot hide a clear pattern where rural communities’ needs are not fully reflected in the mental health planning and services provided by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The report is critical of Defra, which conceded to the committee that the disparate, localised way mental health services were delivered in rural areas made it “challenging” to “generate useful insights”.
MPs highlighted evidence which indicates that agricultural and veterinary workers have a higher-than-average suicide rate when compared to the broader population.
However, their report notes that there is an "incomplete picture", as gaps in the data and a fuller understanding of suicide in relation to these occupational groups is needed.
The chair of EFRA, Sir Robert Goodwill, explained that rural communities faced a unique set of challenges.
He said: "High on the list are limited access to mental health services, poor public transport and unpredictable crises like animal diseases.
“All this has an inevitable toll on peoples’ mental health – and yet the mental health services people in rural areas can access are few and far between
“Rural mental health needs to be a top priority for Defra – and the department should take the lead on this report’s recommendations for much more joined-up action across government.”
What does the report recommend?
Some of the key recommendations from the report are that:
• Defra and DHSC should establish a new joint rural mental health policy and delivery team to improve access to and outcomes for rural mental health services
• Defra should take a more active role in national suicide prevention policy, with agricultural and veterinary workers being recognized as high priorities for action
• Government should relieve intense pressure on the delivery of NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) by expanding preventive mental health support into all schools and colleges in rural areas
• Defra and DHSC should upgrade local preparedness for the mental health impacts of extreme events such as flooding and animal health crises
• Government should fund and roll out mental health first aid training aimed at creating a critical mass of front-line personnel dealing with farmers and those working and living in rural industries and areas
• Defra should explore how farm workers and vets could take more time off work when they need it – by for example encouraging sickness insurance schemes
• Defra, DHSC, the NHS and the Department for Transport should set out rural transport policies that provide rural communities with good access to health services
